December 24, 2021 – Christmas Eve

We are a society of answers, not of questions. We like to be able to tie up our ideas in a brief series of statements, things that we believe, not questions we have. And yet, the birth of the savior over two thousand years ago was itself filled with questions, pieces of the story unanswered.

Mary asks “Why me?” The wise men see the star and ask “What does it behold?” The shepherds journey to see what the angel told them about, not knowing quite what it is. Where was Mary going to be able to give birth, with no room at the inn?

So tonight, I’ll focus on all the unanswered questions that the birth of Jesus brings to me:

Let’s start with the shepherds. Do they bring to mind happy memories of childhood nativity plays and two-year-old sheep going “baa?” Or should we remember them as rejected outcasts, people forced into a cold smelly job nobody wants, and then also rejected by the religious establishment because they have no time to be ritually clean? Is the outcast status of the shepherds something that actually unites us all? Do we all sometimes feel on the edge, unwanted and rejected by others? What do we make of our God who picks not millionaires but shepherds? 

Hm… that’s not too cheery… so maybe let’s focus on Mary instead.  What would have happened if she hadn’t said yes to God? Have you said yes to God? Were you ever Mary in a Nativity play? Did you wish you were? Why is she the most popular one that all the children want to be? What’s wrong with being a sheep (baa!)? And which Mary would you pick? The toddler Mary in the nativity play? The statuesque Mary of Renaissance art? Or perhaps the teenage mother, far too young to be a mom—a child with her own child? 

Perhaps we should look at Joseph. I mean, wasn’t he the ultimate male figure? Well, we really don’t know much about him, do we?

So let’s instead focus on the ultimate man—the word made flesh. What does it mean for God to be a baby crying for his milk? And what does it mean for me and for you? Was the word with God? Is the word God? “And to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to be children of God” — what does that even mean? Why do the carols go on about that at such length?

He was “born to raise us from the earth, born to give us second birth.” What does THAT mean? Has Jesus been born in you? Have you been born again? Do you even understand the question? What events led to you becoming a child of God? How did you come to believe in his name? Have you come to believe in his name? What does that question mean for you?

So maybe we go back to the stable, the manger. If we focus on the mangy stable around the back of that inn with no room, do we feel called to talk about justice and homelessness? Does this connect with the homeless here on the cold streets of Buffalo with no place to lay their head? Maybe that’s too moralistic and grim and not “happy” enough for Christmas, maybe just a tad too uncomfortable?

How much of this sermon is practical and will be applied to the lives of those who are listening? Will a lesson from the shepherds that is so relevant to a man at work in a city office mean anything to a teenage girl at school? How can these stories be applied to the lives of such a varied group of people? How can they be applied to my life? 

Maybe we look ahead to the next few weeks and to the wise men. Were there three of them? Were they actually kings? Why do the carols say one thing and the Bible another? 

What of the wisemen? Do they endorse astrology, when the rest of the Bible seems so against it? Or are they a sign that no matter our mistakes and no matter the strange philosophies in which we experiment, God can find us in them? Do you read your star sign? Which is more trustworthy – the California Psychics or the Presiding Bishop? Is it all just harmless fun? 

And why did the wisemen look at the stars anyway? Am I following a star? How is God guiding me? Have I ever resisted God’s guidance? Am I comfortable with this talk of God speaking to them and God speaking to me? How DOES God speak to me? How does God speak to you? What does God say? What is the star God wants you to follow? Will God call you on a journey that lasts years like the wisemen? Or a short stroll down the hill like the shepherds?

Would you rather go back to the soft-focus nativity play? Or does the challenge of the homeless Jesus–the Holy Family seeking a place–seem less of a challenge in the light of the challenge to believe in his name, to be born again? Which sermon would you remember if it had been preached? Why?

After all these questions, would you rather just cut out the sermon, and give gold, frankincense, or myrrh like the wise men or even a big fat check? Anything to get it over with! Do you now need a sermon on the peace that the Prince brings? Which sermon would you have preached? And which sermon would you rather have listened to? And how do you react to a sermon composed entirely of questions?

Why doesn’t the preacher give any answers? How do you react to a sermon composed entirely of questions?

Well, mostly questions, with just one answer. In the words of Christina Rossetti, which we will sing in about 15 minutes:

Love came down at Christmas,
Love all lovely, Love Divine,
Love was born at Christmas,
Star and Angels gave the sign.

We gather tonight because of the Love that was shown forth, the Word made flesh, the baby who sits amidst the beasts and the wild, amidst the oppressed, the outcast, the marginalized–people like you and me. We gather tonight, and we go forth. And as we go forth:

Love shall be our token,
Love be yours and love be mine,
Love to God and all men,
Love for plea and gift and sign.

May you have a Merry Christmas.